I'd like to start off your weekend with some Maple Leafs news, but there isn't anything. Despite GM Brad Treliving signalling "more to come", there isn't anything yet despite it now being less than one month to go until the first preseason game on September 22.

However, there is still hockey news.

The Yaroslav Askarov drama is finally over as he's found a new home, at least for the next two seasons. He was not really a big name on performance, but as he's one of the very few goalies to be drafted in the first round in recent times he generated a lot of buzz due to his demand to the Nashville Predators to be traded somewhere else.

Preds acquire 1st-round pick & more for Askarov
The Preds have traded Yaroslav Askarov, Nolan Burke, and a third-rounder to the San Jose Sharks for a first-round pick this year and two prospects.
On the ForecheckKate R

I'm sure Askarov will keep things in San Jose interesting based on his time playing for the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL.

The ultimate off-season content: who probably won't win an award... but maybe they could? Joe Woll is the long-shot Vezina winner, and Mitch Marner might win the Art Ross.

Kraken Assistant Coach Jessica Campbell talks about her hockey journey here in this CBC story which I cannot properly embed for some reason, but click the link.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/jessica-campbell-nhl-1.7302498

The next free agent frenzy.

Three Contending Teams Could Target Kaprizov If He Doesn’t Extend In Minnesota
Kirill Kaprizov has two seasons remaining on his contract, meaning this is a make-or-break season for the Minnesota Wild to convince Kaprizov that they can compete during his next term. However, the Wild look like a borderline playoff team that can’t go on a deep run. General manager Bill Guerin…
Hockey WildernessKalisha Turnipseed

The RSNs are dead. Long live the RSNs!

Bally Sports RSNs reach new agreements with NHL, NBA for 2024-2025 seasons
Bally Sports took another big step towards survival, striking new deals with the NBA and NHL as part of its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
Awful AnnouncingDaniel Kaplan

A safety move by the AHL makes neck guards mandatory for all players effective immediately.

AHL to mandate cut-resistant neckwear for all players, officials
The American Hockey League>> Patrick Williams archive

The students are starting to move back in to my neighbourhood now near George Brown College, which can only mean the sun is about to go down on Summer. Enjoy one of the last and best weekends before the grind of September starts and summer truly becomes far away in time.

Winona Peach Festival makes a delicious return for 2024 | CEKAN
The Winona Peach Festival returns to Winona Park (1328 Barton Street, Stoney Creek) this Friday, August 23 from 5 pm to 11 pm; Saturday, August 24 from 10 am
Cekan.caMichael Kras
From The Branches